The number of potentially dangerous buildings in the city and province of Larnaca skyrocketed to 1099, just four months after the implementation of the plan implemented by the Larnaca District Self-Government Organization (EOAL). A number almost double that handed over to the Organization by the Municipalities and the District Administration of Larnaca (they had handed over files for 563 dangerous buildings).
The most worrying thing is that of the 367 visual inspections carried out on buildings, so far, according to the data provided by the Organization to "F", 187 were classified in Category C. In other words, they are in danger of collapse if no action is taken by their owners. Of these, 40 are residential buildings (31 in Larnaca), with most of them being apartment buildings.
So far, the EOAL has issued danger decrees for 17 of the residential buildings, which were either evacuated or a warning was given to the owners. In 9 cases, the owners commissioned a private person to carry out the study that will demonstrate the measures that need to be taken to remove the risk. In addition, 37 uninhabited buildings were fenced off by EOAL and 9 by the owners, while 5 buildings were also demolished, including a two-storey building in Larnaca. Before the Organization, there are, moreover, two applications for the demolition of buildings, one of which is located in the center of Larnaca.
According to the president of the EOA Larnaca, Angelos Hadjicharalambous, the Organization is waiting for a response for the handling of 90 dangerous Turkish Cypriot buildings and 278 listed buildings. Also, there are three apartment buildings of ktiZO that had to be evacuated, however there was no compliance from the owners and EOAL will proceed with decrees.
"We now have a complete picture of the situation in the city and province of Larnaca. However, a very large task is required to handle these cases. In recent years, the necessary actions have not been taken by the competent authorities and that is why we have reached today to have over 1000 potentially dangerous buildings, several of which are very dangerous and inhabited", indicated Mr. Hatzicharalambous, stressing that the amendment of the legislation must be made quickly and the resources must be provided by the state, to move the process faster. "This money cannot come either from taxation that we will impose, nor do we have the ability to pay and wait for it to be recovered. The central state must create a special fund, so that the Organization can use it and regulate all these cases. When the money is recovered, it will return to the special fund," he added.
